Ruth REYNOLDS

REYNOLDS Ruth Ruth Reynolds Fisher, well-known in Toledo from her years in the women's clothing business, passed away on September 19, 2009. Ruth was born in Toledo to Claude and Lolah Powlesland and graduated from Libbey High school in 1937 where she was a winner of the Popularity Contest, member of the National Honor Society, and on the editorial staff of the Yearbook. When she graduated, the senior class predicted that she and Joyce Robertson (later Joyce White) would "some day be at the Style Center of The World." As many Toledo residents know, that indeed came to pass. Ruth spent her life as an effective and talented entrepreneur specializing in traditional women's apparel. In the early 1960s, she opened the Ruth Reynolds' Village Shop which became a highly successful small business and set the local standard for women's clothing specialty shops. In the 1970s, she opened The Emporium in Waterville, a women's clothing shop in a restored building furnished with local antiques. She was warned that customers wouldn't drive that far, but she proved her critics wrong. The Emporium was the culmination of her vision, energy and talent and quickly became both a shopping destination and the anchor of a downtown business revitalization in Waterville. Her best friend from Libbey, Joyce White, joined her in this business venture as her accountant and bookkeeper. Just as the Libbey Class of 1937 predicted, they were at the Style Center of their world. Ruth had two daughters. Suzanne Wittmann is an RN living in Seattle with her husband William Wittmann, near her daughters Zoe and Sasha. Lesley and her husband Bill Mansfield are both physicians, currently in Maine but moving back to New Mexico in 2010. Ruth's first husband and father of her daughters was Leo B. Janis MD. Her second husband and business partner was Andrew J. Reynolds. At the age of 81, Ruth met and married Vincent M. Fisher when they were both living at the Swan Creek Retirement Center. They spent four very wonderful years together until his death in 2004. At that time, Ruth moved to the Midcoast region of Maine to be closer to Lesley and Bill. At her request, Ruth's ashes will be returned to Toledo where she spent her life and had so many fond memories. She will have a memorial plaque placed in the garden of the First Presbyterian Church of Maumee, to be near her last and most beloved husband, Vin Fisher. Ruth sends her love and best wishes to her friends and former customers from the Toledo area. Live well, laugh often, treat yourself and others with compassion and loving kindness.